Become a Nonprofit Bird Rescue
Starting a nonprofit company requires much of the same planning and business strategies as starting any other company. If you are considering starting a nonprofit bird rescue, you need to understand that it is still a business, and will need to be run like one. In order to successfully rescue birds, which includes providing care for homeless domesticated birds and preparing them for adoption, you will need to heavily invest your time and resources into developing such an organization.
Instructions
1. Develop a professional business plan. Include a mission statement, estimates of start-up costs, overhead costs, staff expenses (including whether you will have paid employees, volunteers, or a combination), potential grants and government funding, short- and long-term goals, marketing strategies and fund-raising ideas. For guidance, talk to organizers of other nonprofit animal organizations.
2. Locate other individuals who share your passion for helping animals and express an interest in developing a non-profit bird rescue. Speak with friends, family members, colleagues, business contacts and anyone else in your social network.
3. Decide on a location for the bird rescue's office and facilities. This could be a major expense, but perhaps a supporter can donate space in an appropriate building. Prepare the location with bird cages, supplies of food and cleaning supplies, and an area to care for sick birds. Include a small reception area that will include room to keep files of information about each bird that can be made available to people who come in to inquire about bird adoption.
4. Delegate tasks among staff according to their special area of interest or talent. Assign particular jobs to qualified people, such as advertising and marketing, administration, bird care, recruiting and fund-raising.
5. Conduct a training seminar to familiarize all employees and volunteers with all aspects of the company, including general bird care, fundraising, administrative work, etc.
6. Establish a board of directors to oversee the organization. Consider the talents and skill of the individuals along with their personalities when making your decision. Develop bylaws with guidelines and rules for the nonprofit bird rescue and visit your local law library to make sure the bylaws comply with state and federal requirements.
7. Contact your Secretary of State and obtain paperwork for incorporating your nonprofit bird rescue. Register your business name after becoming incorporated.
8. Contact the Internal Revenue Servce to obtain forms to apply for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which allows all donations to be tax deductible. File a petition with your state's Attorney General's office to obtain a certificate that allows you to solicit donations.
9. Develop a contact list of animal lovers that may help with fundraising and give to your organization. Ask for names, numbers and addresses from your employees, board members, and mailing lists from other nonprofit animal organization.
10. Reach out to the community for support. Prepare to conduct a public meeting at a library, town hall or community center in which you introduce your nonprofit bird rescue, explain your goals, discuss your community needs, and ask for donations. Mail out invitations to everyone on your support list.
11. Send out a press release to all local newspapers, radio and TV stations and community bloggers announcing the opening of the organization and inviting the public to your upcoming meeting.
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